Abstract

This unit describes how to determine hemodynamic parameters of cardiac function such as ejection fraction (EF), end diastolic
volume (EDV), end systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), and cardiac mass, based on experience using a Siemens 1.5 T Sonata
scanner. Briefly, cine loops are acquired over several heartbeats, synchronized with the heart cycle by gating of the encoding
steps with the patients electrocardiogram (ECG). Recently, it has become feasible to acquire cine loops in real time, although
the temporal resolution is not optimal. Options discussed in this unit include breath hold versus free breathing, prospective
triggering versus retrospective gating, and volumetric data sets versus biplanar approaches. Patient parameters such as heart
rate or rhythm, degree of functional impairment, the presence of valvular disease, and the need to assess for jets from shunts
or valve dysfunction are also treated.